Baby Clams & Spaghetti

The 99 Cent Chef's first 99 cent meals involved canned & dried goods. That was the only food they sold at the 99c only Stores many years ago. Baby clams and spaghetti became a favorite.

 After receiving accolades for this delicious Italian pasta entree, I always enjoyed the look of shock on my dining partner's face when I would gleefully announce, "This is a 99c only Store meal!"

This easy pasta entree is so quick and delicious so it's worth trying it out on someone some time.

Ingredients

1. 1 10oz can of baby clams in water
2. 1/2 of a 16 oz package of dried spaghetti4 slices of bacon
3. 1/4 onion & bell pepper - chopped
4. 1 tablespoon chopped garlic (2 cloves)
5. 1/4 cup white wine
6. Slice of butter
7. 1/2 teaspoon total of dried oregano, basil, and/or sage - or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs

Directions
Start 3 quarts of lightly salted water to boil for the spaghetti. 

Brown bacon, then set aside to later crumble into clam sauce.

Saute 2-4 minutes chopped onion, bell pepper, and lastly, garlic in bacon fat. Deglaze pan with 1/4 cup of a fine 99c only Store Sauvignon Blanc.

Pour in the baby clam juice from the can. Add dried herbs and reduce the liquid by half.

Your water should be at a boil by now. Add the spaghetti. The Chef likes his pasta "al dente," quite firm, so I cut the package cooking time by a couple of minutes. Drain and set aside.

When clam "water/wine" is reduced by half, add the baby clams and butter.

 Cook a couple of minutes, just enough time to heat through. 

Add fresh herbs if you've got them. Mix crumbled bacon into clam sauce and serve over spaghetti.